As a coach who has been a part of the hockey community for 21 years, Taylor Shaheen strives to teach more than just hockey. Shaheen has always been dedicated to ice hockey. She played for Grosse Pointe North during her high school career, she then played Division I ice hockey at Michigan State University and now coaches for the Grosse Pointe North girls varsity ice hockey team.
During her time at Grosse Pointe North, she led her team to a win in the Division I MHSAA league. She was named team captain for her junior and senior years and won the Henrik Zetterberg Scholarship, a scholarship that awards hockey players with impressive academics. Her major accomplishments and wins taught her to find the balance of fun and competition for herself and she shows her players to find that balance.
“Winning is always rewarding, but also seeing the girls have fun during practice and enjoying the sport is extremely rewarding, I love that,” Shaheen said.
Throughout her coaching career, Shaheen watches her players grow in every aspect of ice hockey. As a coach, it’s always fulfilling for her to see her team succeed. Shaheen appreciates when her team applies what they learned in practice to the game.
“Coaching is rewarding when the girls take something we’ve taught them, use it in a game, and then make something positive out of it,” Shaheen said.
Shaheen hopes to continue to have a positive influence on the next generation of players. She strives to create athletes who not only have a love for the sport like she did but also a team that works together as a family.
“I love teaching the next generation, especially girls because the sport is growing so much for them,” Shaheen said. “It’s the love of the sport that brings people together, no matter your age.”
